All the Devils' hottest news, from notes to numbers to neutral-zone traps

Monday, July 25, 2011

What is the difference between playing with Zach Parise and Ilya Kovalchuk? What was it like growing up with three hockey-playing brothers? What was the secret to his improved face-off success? What does he think of the songs on Dainius Zubrus’ pre-game iPod mix?

These are some of the questions Travis Zajac answered from the first half of the questions readers of the Fire and Ice blog submitted last week. We had nine pages of questions, so I weeded out some of the repeats and tried to pick the most interesting ones.

Thanks again to Zajac, who took the time to answer these questions, and to all of you for again coming up with so many thoughtful one. We should have the second half of his answers by the start of next week.

***Travis: What is the biggest difference between playing with Zach (Parise) and playing with Ilya (Kovalchuk)? (Asked by comebackkovy)They both are natural goal scorers, something that makes my job pretty easy, but they do it a little differently. Playing with Zach, there are a lot of cycles and give-and-gos and he is always ready to receive a pass anywhere in the offensive zone. There isn't a better goal scorer in the NHL from the hash marks in. Playing with Kovy, he has the ability to beat guys one-on-one and has one of the best one-timers. A lot of the plays with Kovy are made a bit further out, where if he gets a shot off it's in the back of the net. Both have so much skill it's scary.

Have you ever seen a Star Wars movie and, if so, which is your favorite? (Asked by Shandog31 and J17) I have seen all of the Star Wars movies and was a fan when I was younger. I can honestly say I haven't seen one in a real long time. I would say Empire Strikes Back is my favorite.

Travis: Zach Parise said that his favorite coach to play for was Mike Eaves. Do you have a favorite coach that you like to play for whether it’s from high school to the Devils? Thanks. (Asked by Zucs)I had some good coaches growing up, mainly my father who coached me until I was 13, but my favorite coach all time is Jacques Lemaire. There are coaches who know the game, and then there are coaches who really know the game. Jacques was a coach who could make you a better player before you even stepped on the ice. He made you think and work hard and was always adapting because the game was always changing.

Travis: What do you think of the Jets coming back to Winnipeg (I know it’s not the exact same franchise) and the chance to play games in your hometown?Also, if you hadn’t been given 19 by the team, what number would you wear?(Asked by Private Eye)I'm definitely excited about Winnipeg finally getting a team and bringing the Jets’ name back. I grew up going to Jets’ games and because of that it was always a dream of mine to play in the NHL. So, I'm happy more kids will get a chance to enjoy NHL hockey and maybe want to aspire to become hockey players. The chance to play in front of my family and friends is also special because a lot of those people have never seen me play live before.

As for numbers, I'm not too picky. Growing up, I wore 15 in juniors and college, so I would have to go with that. Thankfully, I was given 19. It's a good, solid number.

Hey Travis: Thank you so much for doing this! It means so much to the fans. I was hoping you could elaborate on your relationship with your brothers growing up. What was it like in a house with so many talented hockey players? Was there a lot of pressure or do you guys encourage each other to succeed? (Asked by Mykey)To use one word to describe my relationship with my brothers, it would be competitive. We were always in competition with anything we did. There are a lot of holes in my parents’ walls from the wrestling matches that transpired from our shenanigans. Doesn't matter if it was from hockey or PlayStation. On the other hand, we are very supportive and always pushing each other to be better or work harder.

Travis: If you didn’t play hockey as a career, what would you be doing with your life?(Asked by Kasey)Well, if I didn't have a career in hockey I definitely would have spent four years in school getting a degree. My parents always had us involved in sports growing up, and I enjoyed studying athletic therapy while I was in college. To be able to work on or train athletes would be a cool job.

Travis: What do you think you need to work on to improve your game? Are you trying to do anything to become a little more consistent?(Asked by Wolanined)I'm always trying to find an edge and improve every part of my game. For me, two big parts of hockey are skating and shooting. I've been working on my skating with a coach designed to make me a more efficient, stronger, and faster skater. For my shot, I've always felt the best thing for me was just to shoot a ton of pucks in different scenarios all over the ice.

I think being consistent is what separates the best players from the rest in this league. My goal is to become a great player in the NHL. So, I'm always trying to become more consistent. I think by working on my skating and shooting, hopefully, that will help my overall game and make me better.

Travis: Do you think the reason you and Zach seem to have such good chemistry on the ice has to do with the background at the University of North Dakota? Even though you didn’t play there together, did that give the foundation, or is it just that you guys mesh well together? Is there some other explanation? (Asked by pando20rules)I've heard some people say we were separated at birth. Honestly, I think a lot of it is we communicate well on and off the ice. We play a similar game and are able to talk about different situations or plays that happen on the ice. We have had some success together and that also can give you confidence knowing you can play well with each other.

Travis: Which song do you wish had never ever been included in a Devils’ locker room playlist? Which role do you enjoy more: No. 1 checking center as you were for Canada in the World Championships or No. 1 scoring line center as you pretty much are for the Devils? (Asked by Erick)If you asked me this at the beginning of the year, I would tell you anything on Zubie's iPod I would like to burn. But after listening to his music, it's grown on me... Although he does have one bad song called “Replay” -- not sure who sings it – but he can do better. (IYAZ recorded “Replay.” It is from his album of the same name.)

I enjoyed the role I had at the World Championships, but I'd like to be a guy who can contribute offensively, too. I've always been responsible defensively where I can play in some different types of situations. I think I've shown I can be a good play-making center who can make plays.

(TG note: I’m told Zubrus served as the D.J. at his own wedding over the weekend. Several of his Devils’ teammates attended.)

Who is the hardest defenseman to play against and toughest goalie to beat? (Asked by kovalsnipe)There are so many great defensemen in our league, but the toughest I think to play against is the big man, Zdeno Chara. He is strong, has a long reach, and is a pretty good skater for his size. Tim Thomas is probably one of the hardest guys for me to score on. His style is so different from other goalies, but he never gives up on a play, which is why he makes so many incredible saves.

Travis: Who were the players that you looked up to in the early goings of your NHL career both on the ice and off the ice?(Asked by dierkbag) Early on in my career I had a chance to play with some incredible players. Jamie Langenbrunner and Zach were not only my linemates, but two people who made the adjustment from college to the NHL a lot easier for me on and off the ice. They explained to me what to expect and that helped me relax and feel comfortable on the ice.

Travis: Which arena (besides the Rock, of course) is your favorite to play in? Which one do you dread most playing in? (Asked by Rusty)Well, the best arena I think to play in on the road is hands down Montreal. The atmosphere is incredible, and we always seem to play our best hockey there. The one place I dread going is Long Island. It's an older arena, the dressing rooms are tiny, and I swear the ice surface seems smaller, too.

My question for Travis: What hobbies do you have an interest in? What takes your time during and between hockey season OTHER than hockey and related training? Can’t wait for a great season! (Asked by coloradoDevil)Beside the usual tennis and golf during the offseason, I'm a big fan of water sports. I just got into paddle boarding this summer, which is a great upper-body and core workout too. Ping pong is also big in the Zajac family. A lot of blood, sweat, and tears goes into some of those games.

Particularly in a salary cap era, do players care about the amount of money that their teammates sign for? Can it strain friendships? Can it be a toxin in the locker room? (Asked by KB)I can only speak for myself, but I don't care as long as the guys with the new contracts buy me dinner. Ha, ha. At this point, we’re all professionals and very fortunate to be playing hockey and getting paid to do so.

Travis: Which of the following would you choose as your favorite movie:1) Stargate2) Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark3) Back to the Future4) The Mighty Ducks (Asked by Fagerstrom)I've never seen Stargate, so you can cross that one off the list. Mighty Ducks and Indiana Jones are both good movies, but I have to go with Back to The Future. Michael J. Fox was great in that movie.

Travis: How bad was it passing out with Patrik Elias in his Cadillac and sleeping in it the entire night because of the snow that stopped the entire highway? (Asked by comebackkovy)It's a great story I won't forget, but it was definitely a long night. We just got stuck on the highway when they closed it down for the night. Patty was nice enough to keep the heat running until 7 in the morning when we finally got out. If you want to bond with someone get stuck on the highway for eight hours and share an airplane-sized bag of peanuts. Ha, ha.

Travis: Given the team’s bad start and strong finish last year, I was just wondering, from a player’s perspective what was the major turning point last season that got you guys to playing good hockey at the end of the year? Given that the team is mostly the same as last year, are you confident that the team will start as hot as you finished? (Asked by Chris)Well, it was a rough start for us. We lost a couple of great players early on and we just couldn't find ways to win. I think the major turning point was we changed our structure, got on the same page, and gained confidence. From there, it just snowballed. We started to feel good, enjoy the game, and had so much fun playing for each other. I don't see why we couldn't start the way we finished. I really like our team and think if we bring the same excitement we had at the end of last year we will be back where we should be.

Travis: There has been a great deal of controversy surrounding fighting in the NHL over the last few years. What are your thoughts on fighting in the NHL? Do you think it should be banned or does it serve as an integral part of the game?(Asked by hoekster316)I think fighting will always be part of the NHL. Hockey is a very dangerous game and fighting is just a small part of it. The NHL has done a great job to try and make the game safer, but I think the scraps will always be there. It's an emotional game and sometimes tension runs high resulting in altercations.

Hi Travis. Thanks for doing this. You’ve always been one of my favorite young players on the team. Do you play any of the NHL video games and if so do you make it so that you’re the top scorer on the team? (Asked by @ClosP79)Those were my favorite games growing up. Blades of Steel (is) one of the greatest ever, but I don't play too much anymore. I will say I have played as myself on (Nintendo) Wii before.

Hey Travis: When you are in public do you ever get approached for photos/autographs? How do you feel about that kind of attention, and how do some of the other Devils’ players feel? (Asked by Nextstep)I don't mind signing autographs or posing for pictures. It doesn't happen too much other than at the rink, so it's really not a big deal. Devils’ fans are always very respectful when I run into them on the street. I'd imagine that most players feel the same way.

I’m converting from left wing to center this upcoming season. I’m a natural in our defensive end (I played outside fullback in soccer all the way through college so it’s only natural). What are your best tips as I make the conversion to center? Any tips on face-offs?(Asked by Kelly) You will be very happy with your decision to switch to center. Playing center is all about supporting your teammates. You have to be an outlet all over the ice in case someone needs to dish you the puck. When you’re taking face-offs a few things to remember are always be strong on your stick and watch the puck at all times. Practice face-offs whenever you have time and you will become quicker and get your timing down.

Travis: Thanks for doing this. Two years ago, I noticed you getting thrown out of the faceoff circle a lot. Last year, I didn’t notice it as much. Did you change your style at all? What goes into the decision to throw a player out of the faceoff circle? (Asked by mikeschoenf)Yeah, my first of couple years my wingers were taking as many face-offs as I was. I got more and more comfortable every year and started to figure out guys tendencies when we'd face off against each other. (Assistant coach Adam) Oates taught me a few things and made me change to a bigger blade, which was the biggest difference I found.

When refs throw guys out they look to see if your feet are behind the face-off lines and you come to a complete stop. You even get tossed if your teammates are inside the circle. Refs are usually pretty consistent, so if you’re cheating you’re getting tossed.

Hey Travis: What is your favorite thing to do during the offseason? And do you have any pre-game rituals that you do? (Asked by Kati)I answered this earlier, but being on the lake in the summer is the best. Paddle surfing and fishing doesn't get much better than that. This summer we happen to be building a house in Winnipeg, so that's taking up some time.

I have a few pre-game rituals. I always order the same pasta at the same restaurant every home game. Also, like most guys, I have a pre-game music playlist I listen to on my way to the rink.

Travis: Thanks again for doing this because as a longtime Devils’ fan and season ticketholder it means a great deal to us, the fans, that we all of the sudden have such amazing access to the players like we have now and I think we are all very grateful. My question is: What aspects of the Devils’ organization have you seen change the most in terms of the overall philosophies within the organization and also in terms of access being given to the fans? Also what additional changes would you like to see in terms of giving fans better access to the player, such as the meet-and-greets and the open practices?(Asked by RJ Arditti) I've been with the Devils five years and I think the philosophies have been pretty consistent. Over the last couple years, though, I've found that we are beginning to become more youthful. Our recent draft picks are great players and have matured well and are starting to become important players for us. As for the fans, the Devils organization has always been very protective of their players, but I feel they are trying to find a balance between what beliefs the organization has and what the players find appropriate in regards to allowing the fans access to the players. I really think they are going in the right direction by getting us more involved with the fans. I know some teams have open practices and I think that would be pretty cool for you guys to see how we try and work on our game during practice.

If somebody from Winnipeg was drafted by the Devils and called you to ask about New Jersey, what would be your sales pitch for the region (not so much the team, that is evident)? (Asked by road trip)That’s an easy one now that I finally got the turnpike and parkway figured out. I would just tell them New Jersey has a lot to see and do. It's a great place to live. There are lots of great restaurants, parks, and attractions. Especially with hockey players enjoying golf, Jersey has some of the best golf courses in North America. The proximity to the city is also nice.

As a playmaker, what gives you more of a thrill, scoring a goal or making the perfect pass that leads to a goal? (Asked by Mark by Brooklyn)I still like scoring goals. Ha, ha. There's nothing better than getting a game-winner in OT and busting out multiple fist pumps.

About

TOM GULITTI has covered the New Jersey Devils for The Record since 2002. Prior to that, he covered the New York Rangers for four years. Gulitti joined The Record in 1998 after six years at The North Jersey Herald News. He graduated from Binghamton University in 1991 with a Bachelor of Arts in Rhetoric-Literature.